Defense lawyers said Syracuse developers Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi may take the witness stand as long as prosecutors aren’t allowed to question them about separate bribery and bid-rigging allegations involving Cuomo’s signature “Buffalo Billion” revitalization project.

Gerardi’s lawyer, Milton Williams, told Manhattan federal Judge Valerie Caproni it was “imperative” that prosecutors be barred from bringing up that case, which is scheduled for trial in June.
“It’s their version against our version, and it basically becomes a trial on Buffalo Billion,” he said.

Caproni said she’d rule on the matter Friday morning. If the two do not testify the case could wrap up next week.

The prosecution’s final witnesses Thursday included Cuomo’s deputy secretary, Andrew Ball, who testified that he was blind-sided when Percoco banished him from the 39th floor in Cuomo’s Manhattan headquarters.